Laboratory animal statistics in Germany

The Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection annually publishes a report on the use of animals in scientific research. According to this a staggering 2.9 million animals have been sacrificed in the name of science in 2010 including mice, rats, rabbits, fish, hamsters, cats, dogs, monkeys, pigs, cattle, and many other animal species.  This is an increase of almost 70,000 animals or 2.5 % compared to 2009. 

Since recording began in 1989 the number of animals used in experiments decreased from 2.6 million in 1989 to 1.5 million in 1997, the lowest figure ever. Since then the number of animals used has risen dramatically. 

It has to be noted that the official report does not include all laboratory animals. Animals killed as »surplus« when establishing genetically modified lines and animals killed as 'surplus' in breeding facilities are not included in the statistics. Also invertebrates are not counted.  Statistics on the number of animals used in animal experiments in Germany in 2010:

  Mice: 1,963.209
  Rats: 442,448
  Guinea pigs: 27,886
  Hamsters: 5,908
  Other rodents:7,008
  Rabbits: 89,960
  Cats: 805
  Dogs: 3,004
  Ferrets: 228
  Other carnivores: 342
  Horses, donkeys: 1,391
  Pigs: 15,999
  Goats: 699
  Sheep: 2,188
  Cattle: 4,095
  Prosimians: 80
  New world monkeys: 432
  Old world monkeys: 2,277
  Apes: 0
  Other mammals: 1,062
  Quails: 2,159
  Birds incl. poultry: 104,106
  Reptiles: 462
  Amphibians: 14,566
  Fish: 166,002
  Total: 2,856,316

Reference: Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection

Downloads Laboratory animal statistics in Germany 2010 Laboratory animal statistics in the EU 2008